Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1887-12-27

were still living man. When Francis saw
hor. she declared that the baron was dead
which is the truth. The United States consu
at Milan showed us the announcement of til,
death in an American newspaper. So far rs
can see, such sense as sho still possesses
seems to be entirely absorbed in one absurd
idea-the idea OF writing play for Franci:
to bring out at his theatre. He admits that
no encouraged her to hope she might gel
money in this way. think he did wrong
Don't you agree with met"
Without needing the question, Agnes rose
abruptly from her chair.
"Do me one more kindness, Henry" she
sale. ''Talre me to the countessat once"
Henry hesltated. "Are you composed
enough to SEQ her, after the shock that you
lave sufferedr he asked.
Sho trombled, tho flush on her face died
away, and loft 1t deadly pale But she he'd
| TO her resolution. "You have heard Of what
| saw last nightF' she said family.
Don't speak OF It'll" Henry interposed.
s'Don't usoessly agitato yourself"
'I must speak, Ny mind is full of hor1id
questions about 1t know l can't identify
it-and yet ask myself over and over again.
In whose likeness did it appearl Was 1t In
the likeness OF Ferarril or was it"- She
stopped, shuddering "The countess knows
must see the countcssl" she resumed, vehe
nomtly. whether my courage fails me OF
not, must make the attempt Tako me te
her before have time TO feel afraid OF itT'
Henry looked at her anxiously, "lf you
are really sure of your own resolution" he
said, ~ agree with you-the sooner you see
her the better. You remember how strange
ly she talked OF your influence over her,
when she forced her way into YOUR room in
Londonin
~ remember n perfectly. Why do you
askIn
"For this reason. In the present state Of
her mind, doubt II she will be much longer
capable OF realizing her wild idea Of you az
the avenging angel who Is to bring her to a
reckoning for her evil deeds. 1t may be well
to try what your influence con do while she
is still capable Of feeling it."
| He waited to hear what Agnes would say.
| She took his arm and led him In silence ID
the door.
They assembled bo tho second floor, and after
| knocking entered the countess room.
She was still busily engaged In writing
When she looked up from the paper, and saw
Agnes, vacant expression Of doubt was th'
only expression in her wild black eyes. Aftel
few moments, the lost remembrances an6
associations appeared TO return slowly to he
mind. The pen dropped from her hand
Haggard and trembling she looked closer O
Agnes, and recognized her at last. alas th
time come already" she said, In low aw
stricken tones. "Give me little longer n
spite. haven't done my writing yeti"
She dropped OH her knees, and held out he
clasped hands, entreatingly. Agnes was ia
from having recovered, after the shock tina
she had suffered In the night; her nerve
were far from being equal to the strain tina
was now laid on them. She was so startle
By the change In the countess that she was a
a loss what to say or to 90 next. Henry wa
obliged to speak to her, "Put your question
while you have the chance, he said, lowerin
his voice. "Seei tho vacant look is coming
over her face again"
Agnes tried TO rally her courage. "Yo
were in my room last night sho began
Before she could add word more, the count
ess lifted her hands and wrung them abov
her head, with low moan OF horror. Agne
shrunk back, and turned as If to leave tn
room. Henry stopped her and whispered t
her to try again. She obeyed him after Al
effort II slept last night in the room tina
YOU gave up to me-" she resumed. "
saw"---
The countess suddenly rose to her feet
mo more Of that" she cried. "Oh, Jesl
Martial Do you think want to be told wha
you sawi DO you think l don't know VIVA
it means for you and for met Decide TO
yourself, miss. Examine your own mind
Are you well assured that the day Of reckon
ing has come at lastl Are you ready to fol
low me back, through the crimes of the past
to the secrets Of the deadf"
She turned again to the writing table, with
out waiting to be answered. Her eyes flashed
she looked like her old self once moro as sh
spoke It was only for moment. Tic oil
ardor and impetuosity were nearly worn out
Her head sunk; she sighed heavily us she III
locked a desk which stood oil the table
Opening a drawer in the desk, she took out
leaf Of vellum, covered with faded writing
Some rugged ends Of silken thread were sti
attached to the leaf, as If 1t had been torn gu
Of a book.
"Can you read Italiani" she asked, handing
She leaf to Agnes
Agnes answered silently by an inclination
IF the head.
"The leaf" tho countess proceeded, conc
belonged TO n book in tho old library OF th
palace, while this building was. still a palace
By whom 1t was torn out you have no nee
TO know. For what purpose It was torn GU
you may discover for Yourself, If you viii
Read it first-at the fifth line from tho top G
tho pager
Agnes felt the serious necessity Of compoi
ing herself. "Give me a chair" she said I
Henry, "nnd l will do my best" Ho place
himself behind her chair so that he could loo
over her shoulder and help her 30 understan
the writing on the loaf. Rendered into En-
lish. it run as follows:
IL have now completed my literary surve
OF the first floor Of tho palace. At the desii
OF my noble and gracious patron, the lord {
this glorious edifloe, next ascend to q
second floor, and continue my eatalogr
or description Of the pictures. decor
tions, and other treasures Of art there
contained Let me begin with the corn'
| room at tho western extremity Of the palac
called tho Room OF the Caryatides, from Il
statues which support the mantelpiece. TIL
work is of comparatively recent execution:
dates from the Eighteenth century only, an
J IeNtub bno COIIupt tdoto VI tuO poAiOu
every part of it Still, there Is a certain il
terest which attaches to the mantelpiece:
cenceals cleverly constructed hiding plac
between the floor Of the room and the ceilin
OF tho room beneath, which was made durin
Tho last evil days Of the Inquisition in Venice
and which is reported to Lave saved an nncei
ior OF my gracious lord pursued by tina
Z terrible tribunal. Tho machinery OF thi
curious place of ooncealment has been kept i
good order by the present lord, as a species Q
curiosity. He condescended to show mo th
method Of working 1t. Approaching the tw
Caryntides, rest your hand OH the forehea,
midway between the eyebrows) Of tho 1gu'
which is on your left as you stand opposite 4
the fireplace, then press the head inward as /
You were pushing 1t against tho wall behind
by doing this you set in motion the bidder
machinery in the wall which turns tho hearth
stone on a pivot and disc rs the hollow place
below. There is room enough in it for mai
TO lilo easily ct full length. The method Of